A Salmonella outbreak in Atascocita, TX has prompted health officials to close Iguana Joe’s restaurant on W. Lake Houston Parkway. A number of people contracted Salmonella poisoning after eating at the restaurant and some of them were hospitalized.
Harris County public health officials say they closed the restaurant when failure to address repeated food safety violations resulted in illnesses. Over the last two months, the restaurant had been cited for violations including: improper cooling of food, improper temperature of cooked food being held, failure by employees to use good hygiene practices, cross contamination, and food contact surfaces and utensils that were not cleaned and maintained properly.
Salmonella is a bacteria that, when ingested, causes and infection called salmonellosis which can be serious. Symptoms include abdominal cramping, fever and diarrhea that can sometimes be bloody which usually develop 12 to 72 hours after exposure and last between four and seven days. However, in some cases, the infection spreads from the intestines to the blood stream which can be fatal without prompt treatment from antibiotics.
Last month, Salmonella outbreaks associated with restaurants in Las Vegas and North Carolina resulted in lawsuits filed on behalf of customers Anyone who has eaten at Iguana Joe’s and has these symptoms should see a doctor. A specific food source of the outbreak has not yet been identified. Health officials continue to investigate and more information should be available soon.
